Thread: Hanging hair test for really fine hair

Here's a somewhat unusual question; does the hanging hair test work if you have really fine hair? I'm blonde and the hair on my head is extremely fine and flexible. I have my razors sharp enough to cut it unsupported, but they aren't being cleaved perpendicularly. The hair bends a bit, about 45 degrees or so, then the edge digs in and cuts the hair. Does this just mean that my hair is different from average or that the edge still needs a little work?

I've seen it work different ways with different hair types.....and some people say that it doesn't always work on every razor either.....

The HHT is a relative test, not an absolute test IMO.

Try a test shave now that you know what is happening when you do the HHT on your hair. If it shaves well, then you know for next time that for you, the HHT means a 45 degree splice rather than a cut. If it doesn't shave well, go back to the hone, redo the HHT to see what happens, test shave another part of your face etc. Build up a picture of the relationship between what the HHT does and what the shave is like for you for each of your razors. Once you know that, the HHT becomes a useful shave quality indicator.

James.

James has it spot on about the subjectiveness of the HHT. It has never worked consistently for me (I also have fine hair). And it works even less well on curly hair. You can use it as an indicator of getting close to shave ready, but I wouldn't rely on it solely. The only reliable test is the shave test, of course.

For example, last night I gave my Dovo Bismarck a touch-up on the Norton, a few passes on a dry coticule, and a few passes on the pasted paddle to finish. Then tried the HHT -- barely passing with difficulty. But over the months, and with my hair type, and that particular razor, I knew it might mean it was shave-ready or, equally, not ready yet. Only way to tell was to shave -- and it was one of the smoothest and closest I'd had for weeks!

You just can't tell off HHT alone, which is why a lot of the guys here use microscopes, and other tests on the way such as TPT. Ultimately though, you're only going to know through shaving your face. (Or if you have a cat... )

The HHT works a lot better on my wife's hair (which is much longer as well as being less fine) than it does on my own. I don't think that she knows that I collect her hairs for testing my razors, and she might be a bit creeped out if I told her.

Originally Posted by Timeo Danaos

The HHT works a lot better on my wife's hair (which is much longer as well as being less fine) than it does on my own. I don't think that she knows that I collect her hairs for testing my razors, and she might be a bit creeped out if I told her.

Good idea...I have extremely short hair (I haven't used a comb in 10 years), so using my wife's hair would make the HHT a whole lot easier. I don't know why I didn't think of that already.

Jim

Originally Posted by Roadrunner

Here's a somewhat unusual question; does the hanging hair test work if you have really fine hair? I'm blonde and the hair on my head is extremely fine and flexible. I have my razors sharp enough to cut it unsupported, but they aren't being cleaved perpendicularly. The hair bends a bit, about 45 degrees or so, then the edge digs in and cuts the hair. Does this just mean that my hair is different from average or that the edge still needs a little work?

Nailed it right there, When a wise old man taught me to hone (See if Lynn catches the old comment). I asked him about the different test, his answer was there is only one test that matters, Shave.

Nah, I can't ever get it to work for me, my hair is very fine. I use a bristle from my brush (it occasionally sheds) to test, and if it's sharp enough to effortlessly divide the bristle, it's sharp enough to shave with. (by my standards, anyhow)

I can tell you that my Feather AC with a Pro Super blade NEVER passed a HHT.

I'm a woman with very fine blondish-light brown hair, and none of my razors--including the ones honed by Josh and Mike Ratliff--have ever passed the HHT with MY hair. I've given up on that test...instead, I use the shaving-arm-hair test, I look at the bevel front and back and if all seems well, I shave with it.